Want to take writing skills further…or is it farther? One letter may seem to make a pretty small difference, but it's a big deal to an editor. Knowing the right words to use is absolutely essential for precise writing – and, it establishes the professional capacity of the one putting down the words. Learn the difference between further and farther, and use both the right way.
Further vs. Farther
So what, besides the letters a and u, is the difference between further and farther? Both words relate to distance, both words are obviously of the same tense and in many ways they seem almost interchangeable. Here’s the rub: there’s a huge difference between the two, and any editor is going to know exactly what it is. Want to be a writer? Learn the proper way to use the words further and farther.
Farther
The word farther relates to an actual physical distance. For example, this paragraph is farther down the page than the one above. A distance that is farther away is one that can be seen with the eye and measured with tools. It’s a physical, tangible and noticeable thing. Moving farther away from the brick building isn’t at all the same as moving further in a writing career. Farther relates to a real distance as measured by any physical system.
Further
Further is a word which also relates to distance, but not one that can be seen and measured by physical standards. Further relates to a metaphorical distance. For instance, many writers want to move further in their careers. A writing career is not a physical thing which can be measured by a ruler, there are no mile markers on the “road to success.” Moving further on a career path isn’t the same as moving farther on a hiking trail in the woods. One is physical and viewed with the naked eye; the other is a metaphorical “path” that’s used to describe progress of a different nature. This is the difference between the words further and farther.
Tricks to Remember the Difference
Feeling a little confused? Though it may seem like a minor point, many writers struggle to remember the difference between these two very similar words, and it’s no wonder why. For many, the difference between further and farther is so minor it’s likely to go largely unnoticed if someone uses the wrong word in everyday conversation. For editors, however, the difference is huge. Improper word usage can even mark the difference between good writing, concise self-editing, and bad. Use a few tricks to remember which word’s which, avoiding a silly mistake.
Use easy-to-remember sayings, slightly modified, to remember the rules of telling the difference between further and farther. For instance, the expression “near or far” obviously relates to physical distance: “Cheryl was willing to travel near or far to find her lost gold coin.” In the grammar of further vs. farther, remember the phrase “near or farther.” This puts the word into physical perspective, making it easy to remember the correct usage.
For the word further, use the expression “the further flies.” Everyone’s heard the saying “the fur flies,” which relates to an upsetting or out-of-control event. Now, obviously fur doesn’t really fly just because something significant has happened. This is just a way to say that the situation started to get out of hand, and it’s a metaphor. Remember “the further flies” to remember that further relates to a metaphorical distance. Knowing the right words, and how to use all words, may not be essential for writing…but it’s a necessity for great writing.
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